A Friend Freed from the Tomb

Dead Things Come Alive!

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise and live.” She replied, “Yes, I know he will rise with everyone else on resurrection day.” “Martha,” Jesus said, “You don’t have to wait until then. I am the Resurrection, and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever” (John 11:23-25 TPT).

Three siblings in Bethany were frequent hosts of Jesus and the disciples who traveled with Him. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus became close friends, more like family to Jesus. They believed in Him. They understood that He was the chosen One of God. 

They had been witnesses to miracles and had listened to stories of Jesus as he recounted triumphs and conflicts during His ministry throughout the region. That is why they were quick to send a messenger to find Jesus when Lazarus became so ill. Yet, even after the messenger returned, Jesus waited a few more days to arrive. 

By the time Jesus and the disciples returned to Bethany, Lazarus had been buried in a tomb for four days. Jesus met with the sisters and comforted them with the assurance that Lazarus would live again. While they believed in an eventual resurrection in the last day, they could not imagine that Jesus would raise their brother presently. 

Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb of Lazarus where He grieved along with the family and friends for the loss of one He had great affection for, and Jesus wept along with them. The bystanders witnessed how much Jesus loved Lazarus. 

Jesus was moved with compassion and His great mission, causing Him to order the removal of the stone from the grave. He cried out loudly, “Lazarus, come forth!” Incredibly, the friend who had been dead for four days sprang to life and came out of the grave! 

This notable miracle caused many to believe in Jesus, but caused great concern among the Pharisees and those who sought to discredit Jesus.  They said, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John 12:19 NIV). They even began to plot the deaths of both Jesus and Lazarus. The truth could not be denied, dead things come alive when Jesus speaks!


Theme passage:
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:4 NLT).